1. Welcome to HIST 12797 – Architectural History
“Canada House” – Canadian High Commission, London England.

2. MODULE 1 - Introduction to Architectural History
This Week’s Agenda:
MODULE 1 - Introduction to Architectural History
• Who is your Instructor?
• What is the BIG PICTURE of this course?
• Detailed Weekly Schedule
• Expectations & Learning Outcomes
• Evaluations & Exercises
• What else You Should Know?
• In-Class Exercise
• Recap
• Reading/Viewing/Listening Materials
“A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.” - Frank Lloyd Wright
( )

3. Who is your instructor? “I don't want to be interesting.
I want to be good.” - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe ( ) 

4. The BIG PICTURE for this course…
In this class, we will be looking at:
The shape of architecture throughout history and how building technology has changed over time + how the cultural values of the era impact the architecture and the people around it.
For example:
Who knows the name of this building?
What are the structural members that are holding it up?
How did it fit into the surrounding community?
Who knows the name of this building?
PARTHENON, a temple in honour of the goddess Athena
What are the structural members that are holding it up?
COLUMNS & BEAMS
How did it fit into the surrounding community?
If you can imagine, this sacred shrine was built high on the Acropolis, surrounded by other temples dedicated to other Greek gods. Lower down, the Acropolis is closely surrounded by the houses of the residents – a less precious and formal architecture, compared to what was built high up on the hill for them to look at, fear, and worship.

5. The BIG PICTURE for this course…
The surrounding secular community, densely populated around the Acropolis.
The Acropolis, while was full of temples dedicated to various gods.
Who knows the name of this building?
PARTHENON
What are the structural members that are holding it up?
COLUMNS & BEAMS
How did it fit into the surrounding community?
If you can imagine, this sacred shrine was built high on the Acropolis, surrounded by other temples dedicated to other Greek gods. Lower down, the Acropolis is closely surrounded by the houses of the residents – a less precious and formal architecture, compared to what was built high up on the hill for them to look at, fear, and worship.

6. From the FAR PAST…. Parthenon (Greece, 447 – 432 BC)
“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.” - Pericles ( B.C.)
Research sources
Given the option for research, would you choose for your source? 1. Or
2. ancient-greece.org/architecture/parthenon.html
Students should take note about the information being stated in the video
Focus on being able to place the building in an architectural timeline adding important facts like the following:
Who requested the building construction: Pericles
When was it built: 447 – 432 BCE (added research) took 15 years to build
Where was it built (Acropolis, high hill in Athens)
What was the building for: Temple for Athena Pellas or Parthenos(virgin) this are additional info which students are encouraged to do
Design uses the golden proportion found in nature making it aesthetically pleasing to look at
No straight lines can be found, all are either curved or tapered to compensate for the bulging effect of a building when you look at it making it look straight
Materials used was able to last the test of time even when the paints have faded
WATCH THIS: reconstruction of the Parthenon

7. The BIG PICTURE for this course…
In comparison, another more recent building that we will be studying…
Who knows the name of this building?
Do you know where it is?
What is significant about the building technology of this structure?
How does it fit into the surrounding community?
What year was it built?
What style was it built in?
Who knows the name of this building?
TORONTO-DOMINION BUILDING by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, construction completed in 1969.
What is significant about the building technology of this structure?
STEEL FRAME STRUCTURE with CONCRETE FLOOR PLATES and a CURTAIN WALL SYSTEM HANGING ON THE OUTSIDE
How does it fit into the surrounding community?
It is located in the heart of Toronto at King and Bay – the most powerful financial district in Canada. It’s simple Modernist lines, height, colour and form, speak of power, money and influence.

8. To the NOT SO FAR PAST… Mies van der Rohe, Seagram Building, New York City (1958)
Original design, as mentioned in the video – was ugly according to Phyllis Lambert
“Less is more”
says Mies van der Rohe
standing here with
Phyllis Lambert
Other resources:
Given the option for research, would you choose for your source?
1. Ten buildings that changed America or 2.
WATCH THIS: the history of the Seagram Building

9. Detailed Weekly Schedule
► Click on “Course Syllabus” on our course’s landing page
Things to note on the weekly schedule:
When assignments are handed out
When assignments are due
Weekly Required Readings/Videos/Podcasts
** The weekly schedule and due dates are subject to change as a result of inclement weather, class cancellations, statutory holidays.

10. Expectations and outcomes for this course…
Evaluation plan:
In-Class Activities 10%
Quizzes 10%
Assignments 20%
Projects / Presentations 20%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final Exam 20%
**Students must obtain at least 50% of the value of each of the
components of this course in order to obtain a passing grade.

11. Expectations and outcomes for this term… Course Learning Outcomes:
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
Analyze the relationship between cultural values and built form.
Outline the origins of built form.
Incorporate architectural terminology in written and verbal assignments and activities.
Discuss some of the dominant architects of the twentieth century.
Compare the historic residential styles of the local area.

12. Expectations and outcomes for this term…
Course Learning Outcomes… continued:
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
6. Research topics related specifically to architectural history.
7. Explain basic design principles.
8. Discuss specific architectural ideas.
9. Identify basic architectural styles as well as some specific historic buildings and architects.
10. Adopt a professional attitude that is reflected in interactions with instructor and peers, and in written, verbal and graphic communication.

13. Expectations and outcomes for this term… Typical Class Format:
Guided Discussion of Reading / Homework Assignment / Content Delivery
Today’s Learning Objectives
Recap Activity
Content Delivery
In-Class Exercise / Activity
Recap Content
Present Reading / Homework
“All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts, or stimulates the persons in that space.” - Philip Johnson ( )
2. Philip Johnson

14. What else should you know…
SLATE tour

15. What else should you know…
Architecture department policies
Assignment collection policy
Attendance policy
Academic integrity policy
► watch the library’s video…
Class start time / break policy
Required Textbooks:
NONE, despite what the course outline says…
We will be issuing readings / podcasts / videos for you to read each week as the semester progresses.

16. In-class Exercise:
Choose your favourite building
Find a picture and create a slide in the shared Slate slide deck including:
Your name
A photo of your building
It’s location
The date it was built
Prepare yourself to stand up, introduce yourself and tell us why this is your favourite building.
** Remember, In-class Exercises and Activities are worth 10% of your final mark.

17. What is the big picture of this course? Shape Technology Culture
Recap
What is the big picture of this course?
Shape
Technology
Culture
From Prehistory to Modernism
…. and beyond!
Skara Brae, Scotland
3180 BCE–2500 BCE, Neolithic Period.
THE FUTURE! The Dynamic Tower – each floor rotates individually.
Dynamic Tower, David Fisher, UNBUILT, proposed for Dubai.
Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier
Poissy, France

18. Recap
What about marks?
There are several in-class activities
There are 3 assignments
There are quizzes for you to do on your own time
There is 1 project
There is a mid-term test
There is a final exam